The construction of China's coal-fired power plants is “destroying” their renewable transition – Watt Watt?

Eric Worrall's paper

“…In 2024, coal-power construction activity soared to 94.5 GW, the highest level since 2015, enhancing the deep-rooted role of coal in the power system. …”

Press release

China's coal expansion destroys clean energy progress

Beijing, February 13, 2025 – Even as China's renewable energy surges in 2024 and solar and wind power surges throughout the year, the country is still involved in coal, relying on dirty fuels to meet high energy demand.

China's ongoing coal expansion is undermining the country's clean energy progress, according to a new report from the Center for Energy and Clean Air and Global Energy Monitoring. In 2024, coal power construction activity soared to 94.5 GW, the highest level since 2015, enhancing the deep-rooted role of coal in the power system. Meanwhile, the country approved 66.7 GW of new coal-fired power capacity, which was approved in the second half after a slower year.

While China leads the world in renewable energy deployments (adding a record 356 GW of wind and solar in 2024), expanding coal power at the same time will draw a key focus on its ability to transition from fossil fuels. Rather than replacing coal, clean energy stratification is placed on existing fossil fuel-heavy systems, which has led to an increasingly expected shift towards a renewable-powered power sector.

Despite slow declines in previous years and early 2024, coal power has allowed a rebound in the second half of 2024, but it is not trivial and contradicts policy commitments. At a time when China's power system needs greater flexibility to integrate renewable energy, the rise in coal allows locking in fossil fuel dependence.

In 2024, more than 75% of newly approved coal capacity is supported by coal mining companies or energy groups with coal operations, strengthening coal dominance even if the market fundamentals do not justify expansion. Long-term coal-power contracts and local government reasons for new factories (usually based on economic growth rather than grid reliability), and the strong influence of coal miners in raising new projects further delayed the energy transition. Renewable energy is intensifying, with wind and solar generation restrictions, especially in the fourth quarter of 2024.

These trends challenge China's climate commitments, including goals set by President Xi Jinping personally to “strictly control coal-fired power projects and strictly limit the increase in coal consumption over the 14 five-year plan and gradually reduce it. 15th Five-year planning period”. The report warns that without emergency policy changes, China risked strengthening its energy model rather than transition, limiting its full potential for a clean energy boom.

“China’s rapid expansion of renewable energy has the potential to reshape its power systems, but this opportunity has been shattered by the massive expansion of coal at the same time. Continuous approval and construction of new coal-fired power plants (usually by industry interests and outdated contracts) Rather than being driven by actual grid demand), locking China into fossil fuel dependence at a time when flexibility is crucial to integrating clean energy. The report's lead author Qi Qin said there is no decisive policy shift, China's The energy transition will remain an “increase of energy”, not a real shift in coal.

Chinese coal and mining companies are sponsoring and building new coal-fired power plants, more than what is needed to support the country's impressive growth in solar and wind power generation. Continuing pursuit of coal is squeezed out the country's use of low-cost clean energy and threatens to undermine President Xi Jinping's 2021 commitment to strictly limit coal consumption and reduce it over the next five years. ”Global Energy Monitor.

– Ending-

Contact

Qi QI, Chinese analyst, CREA
qi@energyandcleanair.org

Chinese team, Kreya
queries-china@energyandcleanair.org

Christine Shearer, research analyst, global energy monitor
Christine.shearer@globalenergymonitor.org

Comment Edit

Publications related to this press release can be found here. About CREA, the Center for Energy and Clean Air Research (CREA) is an independent research organization designed to reveal solutions to trends, causes and health effects, as well as air pollution. We use scientific data, research and evidence to support all aspects of governments, companies and campaign organizations around the world to move towards clean energy and clean air.

www.energyandcleanair.org

About the gemstone

Global Energy Monitor (GEM) develops and shares information to support the global clean energy movement. By studying the evolving international energy landscape and creating databases, reports and interactive tools to enhance understanding, Gem seeks to establish an open guide for the world’s energy systems.

www.globalenergymonitor.org

Source: https://energyandcleanair.org/wp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/press-release_crea_gem_china_china_coal-power_h2-2024_final.pdf

This report is available here.

I think the interesting wonder of China's construction of coal-fired power plants can make renewable energy a memorial to understand life in the era of empire.

The Emperor XI wanted a renewable energy factory, and the Emperor's order was absolute. But you can still solve the energy problem by building a coal-fired power plant. This allows the emperor to see his Potemkin Village solar and wind installations, and hidden behind the hills, the old technology coal-fired power plant will generate the energy that truly powers the provincial industry.

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